The miracle is not that I finished, the miracle is that I had the courage to start

Unbelievable,  incredible, the experience of a lifetime ! These are the ways that I would describe my Boston Marathon experience.  I had such a great weekend with family and friends on top of it all.

The weekend started with a visit to Fenway and the chance to introduce Marian to this historic place. My brother and his wife got some tickets for us so we got to share the whole experience with her. Even though it was 38 degree and the Sox lost to the Orioles we had a great time.

Saturday and Sunday were filled with family and friends. It was so great to see everyone, but it went by too fast. When you are seeing people who you love and miss, a few hours is not enough. 

The Race:

The BAA is extremely organized and efficient with every phase of this race. I met Robert and Edge at Boston Common for the bus ride to Hopkinton. The bus ride took and hour the fifteen minutes and you are thinking, wow I have to run back from here?!?!?

The athletes village in Hopkinton was huge. There was food and drinks as well as about a thousand porta johns. They did their best to make us comfortable there which was good since we got there at 8:00 and I didn't start the race until 11:30.      

The race itself started out through Hopkinton and Ashland and I felt good.

It was SO great to see family along the way, they have no idea how much you look forward to that. I knew my sisters Bonnie and Denise and their husbands would be around mile 13. It was so great to see them. It helped to pick me up for a while. I also knew that Marian, Bob and Marie were at mile 21, so I immediately started to look forward to seeing them.

I got the halfway point in 2:23 but soon after that I knew I was in trouble. The early down hills had taken their toll and by mile 18 every step hurt my quads. I stated to walk longer at the water stops but I was still thinking that a 5 hour finish was possible.

I reached the 21 mile mark at Boston College and saw Marian, Marie, Bob, Megan and Matt. I had been looking for them for some time, but I felt broken at that point, the running part of my race was over. My hamstrings, and calfs were cramping bad and I had to stop a few times to rub the cramps out so I could keep walking.

My mind was racing as my Runkeeper was in my ear every half mile, telling me that my average pace per mile, which was 10:43 at the half way point was increasing with each half mile report. I kept  wondering what I had done wrong and why my legs were toast and I was struggling just to finish this marathon. I was embarrassed to be walking but every time I tried to run, my legs would cramp up again.

I had to make a decision. I had three goals going in to the race: 1. Finish the race. 2. Run the whole way, 3. Finish in less than 5 hours. I decided that in order to achieve goal number one,  as much as it hurt my ego and my soul, I had to walk in to the finish.

The closer I got to Boston, the bigger and louder the crowds got. The people of Boston were so great. They kept saying "keep going" and "you got this" honestly, I wasn't sure.  At about 24 miles, you see the Citco sign that is near Fenway Park and you know you are really getting close.

At the 25 mile mark, when I knew I was going to finish for sure. The embarrassment of walking started to go away. Just then a guy who was walking next to me said, come on let's finish this thing. So we started running, very slow short steps. The pain in my quads felt like a knife with every step, but I wasn't thinking about that because the people (who were now 10 deep on both sides of the road) were cheering at the top of their lungs. I'm not sure if they were cheering for me or just yelling, but the sound was deafening and it felt like they were there to get me to the finish line. So, somehow my legs kept going.

As I crossed that famous finish line, I thought of getting up at 4:30 am to run those lonely training miles and, I thought about Michelle and Jay, I thought of the GREAT charity that I was running to support, I thought about what happened right there last year and I thought all of the people that encouraged me along the way. I started to cry.

Within a few minutes, I got a text from Robert. We found each other at our meeting point and took the picture that I will cherish forever. The two of us with our Boston Marathon finisher medals.  NOW THAT IS PRICELESS :-).

Will I ever do it again? I don't know, but I do know that I achieved one out of three goals that I had set for this race. That is great, but it means that I have two more goals that I didn't achieve. I'll just leave it at that.

Marathon Eve Thanks

After four months of training, tomorrow it the big day.

Honestly I am feeling nervous about the physical test and excited about the experience. Mostly I am thankful.

Thankful for the opportunity to run the greatest roadrace in the world.
Thankful for the opporunity to experience this race with my son Robert.
Thankful for the opportunity to raise money for a GREAT cause TAN. Technology for Autism Now.

Most of all I am thankful for all of the support I have recieved from friends, relatives and coworkers. I am humbled and blessed that I have so many amazing people in my life that care about me, love me and pray for me. They have given me motivation to keep going when I didn't want to get out of bed and do my miles and there have been plenty of those days.

I have also drawn motivation the memory of my sister Michelle and brother in law Jay Driscoll. Those two people fought for their lives against cancer for years. They never complained  and they never gave up. We lost them last year and I have felt their presence every step of the way.

Everytime I finsh a run, I thank God for my family, my friends, my job and my sobriety. When I finsh  the race tomorrow, I'll do the same thing, but this time it will be VERY special.  

Drama right to the end

I am sitting the Atlanta airport waiting to board the flight to Boston for the Marathon.  I am still having difficulty believing that this is going to happen.

Oh yes...the drama:
Last week on Thursday went for my scheduled 7 mile run, about 3 miles in, I noticed a pain in my right heal. I ran through it and finished the 7 miles. Slowly but I finished. My heal hurt for the rest of the day, but ice and Aleve (my two close friends for the last 4 months) help, and I decided to take a few days off. I missed my Friday run (5 miles)  and my Sunday run (7 miles). Monday I went out and I decided to see how it felt and decide the length of the run as I got out there.

The run ended up being about 4 miles and although I felt some pain, it wasn't bad, but it did hurt for the rest of the day. The whole time I had been thinking about going to the doctor just to see what was causing the pain. After 4.5 miles on Wednesday, my heal hurt pretty bad so I decided to go see the my Ortho guy. I figured if nothing else, I would find out the cause of the pain and maybe get a shot that would make it go away.

Of course it wasn't that easy. The diagnosis was plantar fasciitis...crap. Just about every runner has had this little bastard at one time or another. At least I know what it is. The bad news was that it was too close to the race to get the cortisone shot that would help make it go away. The good news is that it might hurt (I've said all along that this is gonna hurt) but I am OK to run. 

I have decided to stop running and treat the problem between now and Monday. No need to update the training at this point, "the hay is in the barn" as they say.  I feel like I have put in the miles and done the work. Whatever happens on Monday between Hopkinton and Boston is in Gods hands. I am comfortable with that.

There is however, still time to make a donation to TAN at the link below.

Look for more blog entries over the weekend and THANK YOU all four your support !!!!!!

Fundraising for Technology for Autism Now (TAN) is going strong at  $5,685 and 114%  of my goal. Thank you for all of your support. Here is the link to my fundraising page.

 http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/eddibuck/boston-marathon

Track my progress on race day.

Last week when I was writing about the beginning of the taper I was thinking how EASY this week would be. I have to say I was wrong :-( True, there have been less miles but I am finding out that the taper is a stressful time.

You start thinking: how the decrease in miles will effect your fitness when it comes to race day? If I cut my miles, but keep eating, will I gain weight before the race?  Will I take a wrong step and twist my ankle? Yes folks, these are the things that go through my crazy head. Right now I am trusting the training schedule provided by coach Trey Bailey www.uphillrunning.com will get me to Copley Square.

Speaking of race day, The BAA and AT&T will give you the ability to track running on race day. Here is the information.

AT&T Athlete Alert Returns to Boston! AT&T and the Boston Marathon are proud to introduce the AT&T Athlete Alert for the 2014 Boston Marathon. Whether you want updates on top runners leading this year's race, or want to track the progress of your friends and family as they make their way from Hopkinton to Boylston Street, the AT&T Athlete Alert is the easiest way for you to stay up on the latest from the 2014 Boston Marathon.

Beginning on March 25, there will be three different ways to sign up for the AT&T Athlete Alert. Please note that you will need an athlete’s bib number to register: TEXT - Simply text the athlete's Bib Number to 345678 using your US mobile phone. You will then receive an sms text response with instructions on how to submit a runner’s bib number. You will receive up to 6 texts per bib number. Message & data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Text HELP for help. Available on participating carriers only. Privacy Policy at:www.att.com/privacy. EMAIL - Continue to the registration page for the AT&T Athlete Alert on the race website. Sign-up using your mobile phone number for SMS text message updates, or by entering an email address for email updates. Click here to sign up now. ONSITE - If you prefer to register in person or have any questions, representatives will be available in the Bib Number Pick-Up area at the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo on Friday, April 18, from 12:00pm-7:00pm, Saturday, April 19 from 9:00am-7:00pm, and Sunday, April 20, from 9:00am-6:00pm. If you register a mobile phone online, you will receive a message asking you to confirm your intention to receive updates from the 2014 Boston Marathon AT&T Athlete Alert. Once you’ve completed registration for AT&T Athlete Alert, you will receive text updates courtesy of AT&T and the Boston Marathon when your runner has crossed the following points on the course: 10K Half-Marathon 30K Finish Registration through the B.A.A. website will close on Sunday, April 20, at 6:00pm. However, AT&T is pleased to announce that registration via mobile phone text messaging (for US mobile phones only) will remain open during the marathon. My bib# will be: 27882 Total miles this week 38.5  that included a long run of  13.48 miles and a 5 mile tempo run. I got in two light weight work outs, two yoga classes, one visit to the chiropractor and a massage. I weighed in at 171.0 which is up 1.5 pounds since last week and 16.0 lbs since I started training for Boston. My schedule this week is 31 miles with a long run on 7 miles. Fundraising for Technology for Autism Now (TAN) is going strong at  $5,360 and 107%  of my goal. Thank you for all of your support. Here is the link to my fundraising page.  http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/eddibuck/boston-marathon

THANK YOU !! $5000 for TAN and the taper begins

This was BIG week in my journey to run Boston. Not only did I complete my longest training run, but I also met my goal of raising $5,000 for Technology for Autism Now !!!!! A BIG HUGE THANK YOU to everyone that helped me by donating money for this great cause. If you haven't donated yet but would still like to help, please visit my fundraising page at the link below.

Now, I know that Saturday wasn't the marathon, but it was probably the 2nd best day in anyone's marathon training. It was the last long run before the start of my taper.

I had 21 miles on my schedule for Saturday. All week I kept looking at it on my calendar half dreading it and half excited because I knew the significance of it in my training schedule.   Rain was in the forecast so I was worried about getting the run in at all. Luckily, the forecast had changed completely when I woke up so off I went. 3:54:37 later I was back with some very sore legs and HUGE sense of accomplishment. Oh yea...and the ice bath that followed was awesome !

I haven't run Boston yet, but the most difficult part of the training is over. For the next 3 weeks my runs will get shorter and hopefully my legs will start to feel better and stronger. Boston, here I come!

Total miles this week 49.1  that included a long run of  21.13 miles and a 5 mile tempo run. I got in two light weight work outs and one Yoga class.

I weighed in at 169.4 which is down 3.6 pound since last week and 17.6 lbs since I started training for Boston.

My schedule this week is 37 miles with a long run on 13 miles.

Fundraising for Technology for Autism Now (TAN) is going strong at  $5,060 and 101%  of my goal. Thank you for all of your support. Here is the link to my fundraising page.

 http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/eddibuck/boston-marathon

Publix Georgia Half Marathon

A few months back I emailed Trey www.uphillrunning.com and asked what he thought about me running a half-marathon. As it turned out the timing worked out perfectly in my training schedule for Boston. So I was in !

After a great 75 degree day on Saturday, the weather forecast was for rain and 50 degrees for the 7:00 am start.

Robert and I had agreed to meet at 5:30 at the Chamblee MARTA Station. I never doubted that he would be there, but I was surprised when I get a text from him saying that he was running the 2 + miles from his house as warm up. Really?!?!

We got to the race in plenty of time and spent some time with Roberts friend from  Back on my feet http://atlanta.backonmyfeet.org. They had several people running their first half or full marathons.

The rain held off except for a few sprinkles, and it was about 50 degrees, Perfect running weather.

I couldn't have been more pleased with my run today. I started out at about 10:18 per mile and kept building from there. Mile 13 was 8:48 which is VERY fast for this old fat guy!! Overall, the official time was 2:09:36 average pace 9:53/mi, easily a PR by 10 minutes. I am feeling good an confident going into my last heavy week of Boston training.

Total miles this week 50.1  that included a long run of  13.31 miles and a 6 mile interval workout. I got in one light weight work but missed both Yoga classes.

I weighed in at 173.0 which is up 1.6 pound since last week and 14.0 lbs since I started training for Boston.

My schedule this week is 49 miles with a long run on 21 miles.

Fundraising for Technology for Autism Now (TAN) is going strong at  $4,760 and 95%  of my goal. Thank you for all of your support. Here is the link to my fundraising page.

 http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/eddibuck/boston-marathon

One Month Left

It's hard to believe, but the race is now just over one month away and I am coming to the end of the hardest part of the training.

This weekend I am running the Publix half marathon here in Atlanta. Then next week there is a 21 mile run on the schedule. After that the "taper"will begin. That means that the mileage will be reduced as the reace approaches. I have to say I am ready for the training to be over. My knees will be glad too LOL

Total miles this week 37.9  that included a long run of  19.03 miles and a 6 mile interval workout. Also did two light weight workouts, two yoga classes and I had a massage.

I weighed in at 171.4 down 1.4 pound since last week and 15.6 lbs since I started training for Boston.

My schedule this week is 43 miles with a long run on 13.

Fundraising for Technology for Autism Now (TAN) is going strong at  $4,460 and 89%  of my goal. Thank you for all of your support. Here is the link to my fundraising page.

 http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/eddibuck/boston-marathon

Coach Trey

When I took on the challenge of running Boston for TAN, the first person I reached out to was Trey Bailey at www.uphillrunning.com. Trey is a high school track team buddy of my son Robert and he has guided Robert through all of his marathons and half marathons. In addition to being an Army veteran and great runner in his own right, Trey is in the process of opening his own running store in his new home of Seattle.

Trey has helped me train for 2 half marathons. He sends me a weekly running schedule which I follow religiously, much to the chagrin of my lovely wife Marian. She always says "how is it that you  will run 40 miles in a week because Trey tells you to, but I can't get you to empty the trash" LOL.

When I cross the finish line in Copley Square on April 21st, it will be one the most amazing accomplishments of my life. I wouldn't be possible without the help of Trey Bailey. 

Total miles this week 39.3  that included a long run of  16.16 miles and a 7 mile interval workout. Also did two light weight workouts, one yoga class and I had a massage.

I weighed in at 172.8 down 3.4 pound since last week and 14.2 lbs since I started training for Boston.

My schedule this week is 42 miles with a long run on 19.

Fundraising for Technology for Autism Now (TAN) is going strong at  $3,860 and 77%  of my goal. Thank you for all of your support. Here is the link to my fundraising page.

 http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/eddibuck/boston-marathon

Welcome to Miami !

After last weeks foot pain scare, I took it easy early in the week. I was in Miami Beach for a conference and since that doctor gave me the go-ahead, I wasn't going to miss the chance to
run at the ocean. If I haven't mentioned it in this blog before, the beach and the golf course are my two favorite places to run. The first day it was a little cloudy but on the second day as I was running the path along the beach I looked out to the ocean and I saw this.

Just at that moment, my iphone started playing Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles. It was incredible and it's something that I'll always remember about this trip to Miami and this training process.

I thank God everyday for being able to get up and run. I'm thankful that I can use that ability to help the people at Technology for Autism Now. I hope you will join me by making a donation.  

Total miles this week 39.5  that included a long run of  16.16 miles and a 7 mile interval workout. Also did two light weight workouts, one yoga class and I had a massage.

I weighed in at 176.2 down .2 pound since last week and 11.8 lbs since I started training for Boston.

My schedule this week is 44 miles with a long run on 13 on Saturday.

Fundraising for Technology for Autism Now (TAN) is going strong at  $3,760 and 75%  of my goal. Thank you for all of your support. Here is the link to my fundraising page.

 http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/eddibuck/boston-marathon

Stress fracture...NO THANK YOU !

It started on Friday morning. There were severe thunderstorms in the area and I needed to get my run in and get to work. I had to did my 5 miles plus hills on the treadmill. The run itself was uneventful (as most treadmill runs are) , but when I got to work I noticed a pain in my right foot. The pain got worse over the course of the day but I thought is was just because I had been on my feet a lot.

Anyway I took some Aleve and  put some ice on it. I wasn't all that concerned. Saturday was going to be a challenging day with a 10 mile run in the morning and golf in the afternoon. I only got about 2 miles into my run when the pain got bad. I got concerned that whatever it was would get worse if I kept going so I stopped.

As soon as I got home, I jumped on webMD and  runners world to look up my symptoms. One of the causes of pain on the top if your foot is STRESS FRACTURE :-(. These require a 4 -12 week recovery. I spent the rest of the weekend worrying that my quest for Boston was over. How was I going to tell people. I felt like I was letting everyone down. Including myself.

First thing Monday morning (before they were even open and with out an appointment) I headed for my orthopedic guy. The same guy who I have been to for my hip, knees and both shoulders. He has always been there with a smile and a cortisone shot when I needed it. Dr. Richard Johnston and the staff at www.orthoatlanta.com were great. The saw me without an appointment got me in an out so I could make my flight to Miami this afternoon.

The news could not have been better! NO FRACTURE !!!!! Arthritis...yes (I blame the band).  A few bone spurs (again the band). Hey you try carrying a drum just about every day during your growing years !  LOL

I feel rejuvenated and ready to rock these next 5 - 6 weeks until I start my taper for the marathon!  Every runner expects some pain...that I can deal with, a broken foot, not so much.

Total miles this week 28.5  that included a long run of 7 miles and a 5 mile hill workout on the treadmill. Also did a light weight workout and had a massage.

I weighed in at 176.4 up one pound since last week I gotta be better with my diet,  and 11.6 lbs since I started training for Boston.

According to my schedule this is a a the biggest week so far at over 50 miles. I doubt I'll make all of them but I am planning to do the 16 mile long run on Saturday.

Fundraising for Technology for Autism Now (TAN) is going strong at  $3,710 and 74%  of my goal. Thank you for all of your support. Here is the link to my fundraising page.

 http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/eddibuck/boston-marathon

Snowmageddon - The sequel

This was an interesting week here in Atlanta. We had another week of  really bad weather and I had a lot of miles to put in. Monday went well, Tuesday was raining but I went out and ran anyway. The snow and ice moved in on Tuesday night and luckily for me Wednesday was an off day from running and work. Thursday there was snow and ice and the city was still closed down, that meant 9 miles on the treadmill...YUCK ! Thursday warmed up enough to melt a lot of the ice and snow but there was still a lot of frozen stuff left for my run on Friday morning. The Friday morning 7 mile interval run was highlighted by very ungraceful fall on the ice about a half mile in. Nothing serious, just a little scrap on my leg.

Total miles this week 48.8  that included a long run of 14.45 miles and a 7 mile interval run that was designed work on downhills. The first 6 miles of Boston are all downhill. Also did 1 light weight workout and had a massage. 

I weighed in at 175.4 down .8 lbs since last week and 12.6 lbs since I started training for Boston.

According to my schedule this is a "rest"week. After last week, 36 miles seems like a piece of cake. 

Fundraising for Technology for Autism Now (TAN) is going strong at  $3,710 and 74%  of my goal. Thank you for all of your support. Here is the link to my fundraising page.

 http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/eddibuck/boston-marathon

The Runners High

From time to time when I am talking about running, people will ask me about the "runners high ". I think actually getting "high" from running would sort of be like finding the Loch Ness Monster or the Sasquatch. I have been clean and sober for over 17 years. So if could actually get high from running...that could explain a lot about why I run so much.  Anything that could get me high but not  land me in a meeting picking up another white chip would likely attract my attention.

I will admit that once in a great while there is a moment while I am running. It is usually very brief and I wouldn't consider it a high. If you are running at just the right pace, on just the right terrain (I doubt anyone got a high going up hill) and maybe listening to just the right music. You get a feeling that you go like that forever. And for a runner, THAT is the ultimate high.

Back update, good. No problems at all this week.

Total miles this week 38.4  that included a long run of 12.02 miles and a session of 6 X :60 hill repeats.  Also did 1 light weight workout a yoga class and had a massage. 

Special thanks this week to my friend Jeanette Beraldi. Jeanette had built up some extra massages at Massage Envy and she transferred some of them to me. It's amazing how much they help this old body.

I weighed in at 176.2 down 2.6 lbs since last week and 11.8 lbs since I started training for Boston.

This week will be the most challenging so far.  I am scheduled to run a total of 48 miles this week. Please continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers. 

Fundraising for Technology for Autism Now (TAN) is going strong at  $3,460 and 69%  of my goal. Thank you for all of your support. Here is the link to my fundraising page.

 http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/eddibuck/boston-marathon

Recovery week - Snowmageddon

When we last saw Ed he was whining about a back injury.

This week Atlanta was all over the national news when we had 2 inches of snow and the city was paralized for 3 days. It took me about 2 1/2 hours to get home from work. I'll admit I was pissed about that until I got home and turned on the TV.   People stranded on the highway over night...REALLY!! I don't know who should be to blame, but when that stuff happens here in Atlanta, people lose the friggin minds. Once it was snowing hard, the roads were clogged and the temps were dropping it was over. 1.8 million people 3 snow plows... you do the math.

I missed my runs on Monday and Tuesday, that was 14 miles that I had no hope of making up. Thank you to everyone that sent me notes hoping my back would get better and making some good  suggestions to help it along.

I went to the chiropractor on Tuesday and he said it was a pinched nerve. He did his adjustment and that helped immediately.  I guess it was about 75% when I went out on my first run of the week on Thursday. It still a little stiff, but I feel like the worst is over. I even felt good enough to play golf today.

Oh yea, it was 68 degrees today. So take that all of you people making fun of us. THAT's how we roll in the ATL!  

Total miles this week 22.1  that included a long run of 10.9 miles and a session of 6 X :60 hill repeats.  Also did 1 light weight workout.

I weighed in at 178.8 down a little over .6 lbs since last week and 8.2 lbs since I started training for Boston.

Fundraising is going strong at  $3,393 and 68%  of my goal. Thank you for all of your support. Here is the link to my fundraising page. http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/eddibuck/boston-marathon

Ouch !

Things were rolling along. Other than sore knees (which I expected) I have run a bunch of  miles since November relativly pain free.

This morning I was doing some yard work and I felt a sharp pain in my lower back. I knew right away that it wasn't good and right now it's pretty painful. I know Marian knew it hurt based on the long string of obscenities that come from my mouth. I have taken some Aleve and I am sitting with a heating pad on my back. I guess I'll just have to wait and see how I feel in the morning. I'll also pay a visit to the chiropractor tomorrow after work.

Last week I obsesed about miles all week. I cut my Monday run from 7 miles to 5.25 miles because I wanted something left in my legs when I played golf that afternoon. I guess it worked because I shot 80 at Stone Mountain.  I ended up making up that 1.75 miles throughout the week but it bugged me. I'm not sure how I would make up the miles if I had to miss a few days.

Total miles this week 36.1  that included a long run of 11 miles and a session of 6 X :45 hill repeats...that was fun in -1 degree wind chills.  Also did 2 light weight workouts, and 2 yoga classes.  The weather here in Atlanta has NOT been cooperating over the last few weeks. It has been raining a lot and we are having a VERY cold winter so far. At least we haven't had any snow!

I weighed in at 179.4 down a little over 1.6 lbs since last week and 7.6 lbs since I started training or Boston.

Fundraising is going strong at  $3,292 and 66%  of my goal. Thank you for all of your support. Here is the link to my fundraising page. http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/eddibuck/boston-marathon

But you don't look like a runner...

But you don't look like a runner. I hear that a lot.

OK I get it, I'm not built like a Kenyan. I'm short, wide and I usually carry too much weight. No one has ever mistaken me for Bill Rogers. In all of the races that I have run, absolutly no one has ever marveled at my speed. I simply run...therfore I am!

That is the beauty of running. You only have to run to be a runner. I guess it's not a very exclusive club. 

All you need is a good pair of running shoes and the determination to get out of the bed or off of the couch.

I have been told that people get annoyed when I post my runs on Facebook and Twitter. To those people I say, feel free to stop following or defriend me. I have had many people say that those posts have motivated them to start a running program of their own. When they do they feel better, lose weight and get heathlier. I guess when they see that this old fat guy can run, they fugure "why not me". I am fine with that.

Total miles this week 31.8  that included a long run of 9 miles and a session of hill repeats. Also did 2 light weight workouts, 2 yoga classes and a had a massage. 

I weighed in at 181.0 down a little over 1/2 lb.

Fundraising total is still $3,093 and 62%  of my goal. Thank you for all of your support. Here is the link to my fundraising page. http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/eddibuck/boston-marathon

The "Me" Wall

Marian calls this my "me wall". OK, I can live with that.

I'm not sure how many race numbers are hanging there but there are but each one represents a special challenge. It includes some very memorable races, swim caps from the triathlons and funny hats from the Warrior Dash.

So I run a lot of races, I must have and a few first place medals there right?!? Nope. I have been told I have deceptive speed...I'm slower than you think! So it's always been about finishing for me. I'll let the rabbits get out there and get the medals. I'll be in the middle of the pack or maybe on a good day in small race with only few old farts, I'll sneek into the top three. That is always fun but it's not the most important thing for me. Finish the race, get the tee shirt, fill up a bag with free stufff and go somewhere for a nice breakfast with friends and family. Thats a great Saturday morning.

This week has been a challenage with the weather. My shedule was three, five milers with a four mile hill work out and a seven mile long run. I made all of the runs as scheduled, even though Tuesday morning was 5 degrees with a -10 wind chill so I had to do that one on the treadmill and the Friday hills was in the rain. Then Saturday the worst happened, I was planning to do my 7 mile long run about 8:00 am but this crazy Georgia weather wasn't having it. I quick check of the weather channel showed not only thunderstorms but tornado warnings ! That meant my worst nightmare...7 miles on the treadmill. You gotta do what you gotta do.

Total weekly miles 26.56. Also did 2 light weight workouts and 2 yoga classes.

I did better with my weight this week I weighed in at 181.6 down a little over 2 lbs.  Thank you to all of the folks that emailed me their weight loss tips !

Fundraising total is still $2,953 and 59%  of my goal. Thank you for all of your support. Here is the link to my fundraising page. http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/eddibuck/boston-marathon
   

You gotta start somewhere

The first official week of training was 22.08 miles. Those included a long run today of 6.13 miles and my first "hill repeats"of the training.

The hill repeats include a two mile warm-up, then four 15 second full speed (OK all things are relative) up hill run with a sixty second rest in between. It ended with a 1/2 mile cool down.

Speaking of cool downs, the weather has been cold this week. I know all of my friends from up north are saying that I have no idea about cold. I get that, but it was 23 degrees when I went for my 6 miler this morning. That's cold enough for me.

I started the week off with a massage on Sunday. It felt GREAT and I'll be getting one every 3 weeks or so between now and the race.  Probably on my "light weeks".

I have also been going to the Chiropractor.  My Chiropractor Kris Purvis has been working with the Atlanta Falcons for years so he knows all about sore knees and backs. I guess it's gonna take a village to get me to the finish line.

With Marian's help, I am concentrating on losing weight.  I only lost1 pound this week but now that the holidays are over, I am hoping to do better.

As far as fundraising goes, I have currently raised $2,943 making me 59% of the way toward my $5000 goal for (TAN) Technology for Autism Now. If you would like to support me you can go to my fundraising page at:  http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/eddibuck/boston-marathon.